No building/structure can be demolished without a permit. Prior to the demolition of any building/structure, the applicant shall be required to submit signed documentation showing all utility connections have been properly disconnected according to the standards set forth by each respective utility representing.
Additionally, no permit for the demolition of a building/structure that is designated as a historic place by the National Register of Historic Places, or lies within a historic preservation district as defined by the City of Mt. Vernon, shall be issued other than in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, as well as in conformity with the provisions of other laws and ordinances applicable to historic preservation and to the demolition of buildings. An application for demolition shall be made only by the person, partnership, corporation or realty trust which is the deed holder thereof at the time of such application.
Except for structures identified herein, this ordinance does not apply to the demolition of existing porches.
No permit for demolition of a building determined to be a historically significant building under this ordinance shall be granted until plans for use or development of the site after demolition have been filed with the Zoning Administrator and found to comply with all laws pertaining to the issuance of a building permit. All appeals from the granting of such approvals must be concluded prior to the issuance of a demolition permit under this section.
The Zoning Administrator shall forward a copy of each application for a demolition permit meeting the requirements set forth in Section 153.03 to the Historic Preservation Commission for determination as to whether the building, which is the subject of such application, is a historically significant. A fourteen (14) day wait period shall commence on the date following the date the Commission receives the application for a demolition permit from the Zoning Administrator. Demolition is prohibited during the fourteen day wait period. Historically significant buildings are:
1. Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places, maintained by the Department of the Interior, or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing of the National Register; or
2. Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district; or
3. Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or
4. Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified by either (i) an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or (ii) directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
The purpose and intent of this ordinance is set forth in Section 24.01 of the Mount Vernon, Iowa Code of Ordinances.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall review the application for demolition at a public meeting of the Commission within the fourteen (14) day wait period. The Commission shall make an initial determination whether the building is a historically significant building using the standards set forth in current US Secretary of Interior standards for historic preservation, and further, upon criteria which would be unique to the historic nature of the City of Mount Vernon. The Commission shall make written findings supporting the grant or denial of the permit.
If during the fourteen (14) day wait period, the Commission makes an initial determination that the building which is the subject of the application for demolition is, or may be a historically significant building whose loss would be detrimental to the historical or architectural heritage or resources of the City, such building shall be considered a historically significant building. The Zoning Administrator shall be so advised, and no demolition permit or building permit for new construction shall be issued unless and until a final determination has been made that the building is not a historically significant building or an exception applies. If the Commission makes the determination that the building is not a historically significant building the Administrator shall be advised and the permit will be issued provided all other applicable building regulations have been met.
After an initial determination by the Commission that any building which is the subject of an application is a historically significant building, it shall so advise the applicant who submitted the application and the Zoning Administrator, and a sixty (60) day demolition review period will be imposed. The sixty (60) day demolition review period starts on the date the applicant who submitted the application and the Zoning Administrator are notified of the decision of the Commission.
The Commission shall hold a public hearing prior to making the determination that any building is a historically significant building. The Commission shall publish notice in the official city designated newspaper no less than four (4) days and no more than twenty (20) days from the date that an initial determination has been that the building is a historically significant building. A sign shall also be posted on the subject property notifying the general public of the pending application for demolition. No demolition permit or building permit for new construction or alterations on the premises shall be issued after the date of a determination that a building is a historically significant building except as may be provided for in subsection 153.07 of this section.
During the sixty (60) day demolition review period, The Commission will work with the applicant to have a historic survey done on the property, if necessary, and to determine if any of the following options or alternatives to demolition are feasible:
1. The building can be considered for landmark designation.
2. Rehabilitation of the building with the assistance of State or Federal tax incentives or other private financial assistance.
3. Adapting the building to a new use.
4. Finding a new owner who is interested in preserving/rehabilitating the building.
5. Incorporating the building into the owner/applicant's redevelopment plans.
6. Assisting in finding a different location for the owner's redevelopment.
7. Moving the building to an alternative location.
8. Salvaging building materials if the structure is to be demolished.
9. Documenting the building prior to the issuance of a demolition permit.
The Commission shall make findings in writing. Upon completion of the review, the Commission will advise the applicant and Zoning Administrator in writing whether a demolition permit can be issued.
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